Bridport-based Groves Nurseries has received another accolade for its award-winning violets.

Groves was awarded a first place in the annual violet festival at Toulouse, France, for a tree violet, ‘Amelia Violet Groves Stork’ (pictured), named after the granddaughter of grower Clive Groves.

The judges said the plant was an exceptional specimen.

Violets are Toulouse’s emblematic flower, harvested in the region as early as the 19th century and still popular with gardeners in the area. The city has held a violet festival since 1952.

Clive Groves said: “We have won trophies from all over Europe, including Italy and Portugal, where we won the overall prize for most medals and this was presented to me by none other than the Duke of Braganza, but I have to say winning in Toulouse again was very special.”

Mr Groves is a renowned violet breeder, the collection having been started in the 1960s by his father, Charles William Groves. The first one he bred was named ‘Clive Groves’. Most members of the family now have violets named after them.

Clive continued to grow the collection of Viola odorata and Parma violets and was awarded National Collection Status in 2002.

Groves offers a large selection of violets at its in Bridport and Beaminster nurseries.